Table
ca. 1560 (made)
On display at V&A South Kensington
Islamic Middle East, Room 42, The Jameel Gallery| Artist/Maker | |
| Place Of Origin |
This type of wooden table with a ceramic tile top held trays of food and drink. It would have used in an Ottoman palace, set before guests who sat on a low bench, or divan, built against the walls.
Many large polygonal tiles survive from the Ottoman period, but this example is one of the very few that still serves its original purpose as a table top. It was made in Iznik, north-west Anatolia, which was known as a centre of ceramic production.
Many large polygonal tiles survive from the Ottoman period, but this example is one of the very few that still serves its original purpose as a table top. It was made in Iznik, north-west Anatolia, which was known as a centre of ceramic production.
object details
| Categories | |
| Object Type | |
| Materials and Techniques | Wood, inlaid with ebony and mother of pearl; with fritware ceramic top, painted under the glaze |
| Brief Description | Table made of wood faced with ebony, ivory and mother-of-pearl, the table top a twelve-sided Iznik tile, Turkey (Iznik and Istanbul), ca. 1560. |
| Physical Description | Body of the table: wood inlaid with ebony and mother of pearl; the top: fritware ceramic painted under the glaze. The tile has twelve sides, but the table is constructed with spandrel-like joins between the legs so that it stands on six legs. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Styles | |
| Gallery Label | Jameel Gallery
Tile-top Table
Turkey, Iznik and Istanbul
About 1560
In Ottoman palaces, guests sat on a low bench, or divan, built against the wall. Trays of food and drink were set before them, resting on tables of this type.
Wood faced with ebony, with inlay of ivory and mother-of-pearl; fritware painted under the glaze
Museum no. C.19-1987
(2006) |
| Summary | This type of wooden table with a ceramic tile top held trays of food and drink. It would have used in an Ottoman palace, set before guests who sat on a low bench, or divan, built against the walls. Many large polygonal tiles survive from the Ottoman period, but this example is one of the very few that still serves its original purpose as a table top. It was made in Iznik, north-west Anatolia, which was known as a centre of ceramic production. |
| Bibliographic References |
|
| Collection | |
| Accession Number | C.19-1987 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest Feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest Feedback
| record created | September 28, 1998 |
| Record URL |